Fingerprint Cactus Valentine: Easy DIY Valentine’s Day Card

DIY cactus valentine

I’ve mentioned that bad puns are one of my favorite things about Valentines day (and in life.) Since cacti are one of my other favorite things, here are some sweet little pokey cards that bring together a few of my favorite things. If you were to tie one of these around a bottle of champagne and put Jaime on a plane with it, that would pretty much put all of my favorite things together. Anyway, here are some cute prickly valentines that you can make if you have paper, a fine point marker, a green stamp pad and a finger. DIY cactus valentineDIY cactus valentine   DIY cactus valentine

DIY cactus valentine

Basically you dip a large fingertip (I used pointer) in the inkpad and make the bottom pad of your cactus. Then a small fingertip (the pinky perhaps) and make the rest of the cactus. Kid fingers would make this even more adorable. Next draw a little pot and some funny words. You don’t need to be a calligrapher to make this work, even just block letters will be perfect.

DIY cactus valentine

Leave all your pals a note or tie one around a small potted cactus for your bestess and mostess.

Originally posted Feb 8, 2016

Save

by

Free Koala Printable for Valentine’s Day

Here is a free koala printable for Valentine’s Day!

free koala art

The animals of Australia have been on all of our minds so I couldn’t resist featuring sweet koala bears on my Valentine’s Day printables. I hope you like them! The art is saved as 6″x4″ jpegs and can easily be printed on photo sized paper.

Feel free to download and print this free koala printable. Also, please consider making a donation to one of the many organizations that is helping the animals affected by the bushfire in Australia. This CNN article gives more information on How to Help Australia Bushfire Victims. (more…)

by

Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds – The perfect crunchy addition to your holiday cheese platter. Here’s how to make them!PumpkinSpicePumpkinSeeds

Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds are a delicious sweet twist on the classic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds recipe. As an added bonus, they make your house smell like Pumpkin Spice while they roast in the oven.

PumpkinSpicePumpkinSeeds

If you are making pumpkin pie for the holidays or a delicious Stuffed Pumpkin Recipe, don’t toss those pumpkin guts. Instead, clean your pumpkin seeds and make yummy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds. And at the end of this post, find four beautiful cheese plates that we sourced for your holiday entertaining, each under $20.

Here’s How to make Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds!

(more…)

by

Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Pumpkin Recipe

Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Pumpkin Recipe – The ultimate fall comfort food.Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Pumpkin

A few weeks ago my friend Mena mentioned making a Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Pumpkin and I couldn’t get it out of my mind. It just sounded like the ultimate fall comfort food. I asked her for the details and like most of the Italian girls in my life, she gave me very vague instruction, as the very best cooks usually do. I was on my own to figure out the – down to the details – directions. Lucky for all of us, I nailed it you guys and I’m ready to share my recipe! Ha! This Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Pumpkin Recipe makes a perfect cozy Sunday dinner, or festive holiday entrée for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Pumpkin

The elements of your Shepherd’s Pie can be made in about 30 minutes. Therefore allowing you to do other things while baking your beautiful Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Pumpkin Recipe. Your house will be filled with a brilliant aroma of savory Shepherd’s Pie and sweet  baked pumpkin and apples.

Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Pumpkin

Read on if you are ready to make a Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Pumpkin. Be warned that you will be asked to make this delicious comfort food again! Are you looking for more ways to stuff a pumpkin? Watch our How to Make a Savory Stuffed Pumpkin Recipe Video for another delicious stuffed pumpkin recipe as well as tips on how to prepare your pumpkin for baking. (more…)

by

Hiking the Greek Islands – A 9-night/10-day Greece Itinerary

Hiking the Greek Islands – A 9-night/10-day Greece Itinerary!! Im excited to FINALLY fill you in on this trip of a lifetime that I took in September.       

Day 1-3 Athens

Greece has been my #1 dream destination since Jaime and I conquered Italy 6 years ago, so when my mother-in-law suggested a trip, I said “Ne Parakolo,” or, “yes please” and the trip planning was set in motion. My mother-in-law has been traveling with REI adventures for years and I’ve always been intrigued by her trips but also a little terrified by the whole “adventures” component. I’m about a 5 on the 1-10 adventure travel scale. Alas, an REI hiking trip was my best shot at getting to Greece so we signed up and I started researching camel packs and putting off training immediately. I’ll get into that later, I’m sure you are eager to hear about Hiking the Greek Islands and my A 9-night/10-day Greece Itinerary.

(more…)

by

I opened a shop! Come and visit.

Hey! It’s been a minute. I’ve been working on a new project that I’m so excited to tell you about: My new shop, Greenwood.

Image of the interior of greenwood shop in los angeles CA

Pop in to our potting bar in Valley Village for a fun activity: Choose your favorite pot, then pick out a new plant baby. We’ll help you mix the perfect soil and teach you how to help your plant live happily ever after. Stop by on your own, with a group of friends, or bring the kiddos.

Along with a gorgeous green selection of plants, we’ve got artisan pottery and a well curated collection of gifts, clothing, and apothecary products. It’s basically a long lazy Sunday afternoon in shop form.

If you’re in the LA area, come by and say hi! Bring your kids! Check it out online here: Greenwood Shop.

Can’t wait to see you there!

by

Framed Rug as Wall Art

A framed rug isn’t something you see often. Placing a rug on the wall turns it into an art installation with big impact in a small room.
Image of a framed rug I once showed you how to hang a rug on your wall. That was a quick and simple solution to getting this gorgeous camel hair rug I purchased on our trip to Jordan up as wall art, but since we moved into our new home, this rug was gently folded and stored in a cabinet along with a gorgeous runner we also bought in Jordan.

Well, the other day I went into the cabinet to get the rugs out, and found the runner with a giant hole in it, covered in larvae – it had been eaten! It was devastating. Luckily this little guy had been spared. I decided I wanted to protect this one for the long term – a framed rug it would become. I sent it out to Framebridge, and I think they did a great job. The key is to ask for your rug to be float mounted. A vintage rug isn’t usually perfectly rectangular, so a float mount allows the edges and the charm of the rug’s shape to shine.

by

Unlimited Squirrels by Mo Willems & Perfect Rock Painting Tutorial

Unlimited Squirrels by Mo Willems & Perfect Rock Painting Tutorial is sponsored by Disney Book Group

I know that so many of you, just like us,  are fans of Mo Willems, from Elephant & Piggie to Pigeon to Nanette, so I’m thrilled to introduce his newest creation. Unlimited Squirrels in I Lost My Tooth! combines a charming new cast of characters with Mo’s signature writing style; a captivating medley of heart, humor, and high energy. This new book also features jokes and scientific facts in addition to a main story. It’s a perfect book for new readers and their caregivers to go back to again and again.

We fell so hard for these funny squirrels that we decided to paint them on a batch of rocks that we are decorating to hide in a neighborhood park. Rather than freehand draw these little guys, we turned to a classic tracing technique to transfer them to stone. I love when I can impress my own kids with a little crafty trick that I know! Now you can too. Here’s how we made our Unlimited Squirrels rocks… (more…)

by